Curve matching, a generalized framework for models/experiments comparison: An application to n-heptane combustion kinetic mechanisms

This work aims at proposing a method, named Curve Matching (CM), to evaluate the agreement between models and experimental data. The approach relies on the transformation of discrete experimental data and the relative numerical predictions in two different continuous functions. In this way, CM allows not only to compare the errors (i.e. the differences between the experimental and calculated values), but also the shapes of the measured and numerical curves (i.e. their first derivatives) and possible shifts along the x-axis. These features allow to overcome the limitations of Sum of Squared Error based methods. The present approach is discussed by means of a few models/experiment comparisons in ideal reactors and laminar flames. Due to the large number of both experimental data and kinetic mechanisms available in the literature, n-heptane was selected as the test fuel.